October 3, 2020
So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
Some commercials bringing the good news of materialism claim to bring happiness and security through the product they are advertising. Many of us are brainwashed to believe that our security and happiness are just a matter of dollars and cents and in certain things. We are tempted to believe that money can take care of any problem. I believe God thoroughly disagrees with that concept. The truth is that ultimate security and happiness are not provided by any material things but rather independent of our purchasing power. We simply fool ourselves as long as we put our trust in anything else but God.
Martin Luther said that we elevate something to the position of a god when we put our trust and confidence in it. In other words, anything that is most important to us at a given time is a god, and as some would say a “counterfeit god.” The writer of the letter to the Hebrews found it necessary to remind his fellow Christians not to put things ahead of God. He did so by quoting from Psalms, pointing to God as the source of ultimate security. The battle goes on and we are in the middle of it. Have courage! Put your trust in the Lord and everything else will fall into place in His time. We can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Dear God, we are surrounded by materialism and are tempted to put our trust in false gods. Thank you for reminding us that we do better to trust in you. Help and encourage us by the power of your Spirit. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Pastor Joel Bjerkestrand